On the recordNovember 30, 2011
while the Senator from Minnesota is here, let me add my voice of thanks and appreciation for what she continually is fighting for in the area of sexual assault. Her amendment makes great sense. We have cleared it on our side. We hope it gets cleared so that we can get this into a package--and we hope we can get a package that is adopted. But I want to just commend the Senator for her intrepid effort that is awe inspiring on behalf of people who need all of the fight and all of the protection that we can give them, those are people who have been assaulted sexually. I commend the Senator. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona. Amendment No. 1246, as Modified Mr. McCAIN. I send an amendment to the desk, as modified, No. 1246, and ask for its consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment is already pending. Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, the amendment is to require the Secretary of Defense to consult with the Armed Services Committee in commissioning an independent assessment of U.S. security interests in East Asia and in the Pacific region. It has been cleared on both sides. I urge adoption of the amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the amendment is modified.
